Sweet Cherry Salsa

Sweet Cherry Salsa draws on ginger, as well as peppers, to create a spicy warmth. Then it brings in notes of citrus and a splash of balsamic vinegar to lend depth to the sweet tang of ripe red cherries. To make the transition from a starter to a meal’s sweet conclusion, you might even add a few bites of dark chocolate.

Summer Fruit Salsa

For my birthday I got a beautiful new bowl. It’s pretty much white, like most of the dishes I love. What makes it distinct is the curvy shape and the sweet packaging. The bowl came tied up with paper twine that ensnared a precious little ladle with a frilly handle. Looking down, the words “Let’s Salsa” are stamped into its bowl.

While I’m not much of a dancer, “Let’s Salsa” is a phrase that works well with the rhythm of my summer kitchen. I have been crazy about salsa since my introduction to it when I first moved to Texas way back in the ‘80s. Then my salsa of choice was all about tomatoes, onions and peppers. Most of the time it came in a jar labeled “Pace”. This spicy condiment, along with other elements of the local cuisine, began to change the way I thought about the taste of summer.

A Few New Steps for a Delicious Salsa

I have to say that I still love Pace salsa. I use it to make all kinds of things. Over the years, however, my love of salsa has expanded dramatically. It now includes many colorful salsas, both sweet and savory, from the orchard as well as the garden. I have recipe for Cantaloupe Salsa, Pomegranate and Roasted Corn Salsa and Cast Iron Salsa to name a few.

This Sweet Cherry Salsa encompasses a number of steps in that journey. It draws on the spicy fire of ginger as well as the heat of peppers and onion. To that base it adds herbs for flavor. A little lime zest adds brightness while balsamic vinegar lends depth to the sweetness of the ripe cherries.

Sweet Cherry Salsa makes a great topping for Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork served on Cornbread Griddle Cakes. Or, to take it a step in a different direction, you might even switch up the onion with a quarter cup of chopped dark chocolate. This makes a fun dessert when served with thin sugar cookies or ginger snaps to create a sweet conclusion for your evening meal.

Sweet Cherry Salsa

Course: Appetizers, DessertDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

cups

Prep time

10

minutes

Chilling time

1

hour

This salsa draws on the spicy warmth of ginger and the smooth depth of balsamic vinegar to enhance the sweet appeal of ripe cherries.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sweet cherries, pitted and roughly chopped

• 1 small jalapeno (about 2 Tablespoons), seeded and finely diced

• 2 green onions, finely chopped

• 1/4 cup basil leaves, chopped

• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger root

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• Grated rind of one small lime

Directions

• In a small bowl combine the ingredients. 
• Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

• Recipe Source: Adapted from a recipe at WholeFoodsMarket.com.
• Have you ever thought of salsa as a sweet little dessert? Try this – skip the onions and stir in 1/4 cup of chopped dark chocolate (or mini chocolate chips). Serve with thin packaged sugar cookies.

Enjoy!